Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana
Orcutt's pincushion, Orcutt's Pincushion
Photo: parent species Chaenactis glabriuscula · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana (Orcutt's pincushion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by coastal habitat, fleshy leaves, and very short pappus.
Orcutt's pincushion is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern coastal California in coastal dunes and bluffs at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in small clusters with heads 4.5 to 6.5 millimeters long. Growing with multiple spreading stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops 3 to 7 branches that spread both proximally and distally. Its leaves are fleshy and typically 2 to 5 centimeters long, with 2-pinnately lobed blades having 2 to 7 pairs of lobes that are flat or slightly curled. The plant's unique involucre is nearly hemispheric, with outer phyllaries that are shaggy and glandular-hairy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are coastal habitat, fleshy leaves, and very short pappus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, bluffs
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: to northwestern Baja California
Bloom period
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Eriophyllum: Eriophyllum has obvious yellow ray flowers; Chaenactis completely lacks rays; vs Lasthenia: Lasthenia has bright yellow rays; Chaenactis rayless with white/purple tubular flowers only; vs Malacothrix: Malacothrix has all strap-shaped flowers and milky sap; Chaenactis all tubular, clear sap; vs Eriogonum: Eriogonum flowers have 6 segments in ball-like clusters; Chaenactis typical composite heads; vs Uropappus: Uropappus has all strap-shaped yellow flowers; Chaenactis all tubular white/purple flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana bloom?
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana belong to?
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
Is Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana rare or endangered?
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana grow in?
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana grows in Coastal dunes, bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.